New plastic voter cards to be issued first in Assam & Nagaland:EC

The Election Commission is considering changing the laminated voter identity card into a driving licence-like hard plastic card which is more durable. This was disclosed by Deputy Election Commissioner Alok Shukla at an Interactive Session in New Delhi yesterday.

He said, the new voter card with colour photos will be first issued in Assam and Nagaland. Mr Shukla said, the Commission will charge a fee, which will be less than 50 rupees, from those willing to convert their existing cards into hard plastic cards. The choice to opt for the new version will be that of the voter. He said, the Commission has already held meetings with representatives of various organizations - both private and state-owned-- for price negotiations for the new cards.